2 minute read
Walking in Auckland
Auckland is a place of incredible diversity, where a bustling metropolis gives way to pretty seaside villages, sparkling harbours, wild and serene coastlines and bird-filled native bush. Whether you prefer to stroll alongside a shimmering inner-city harbour with coffee stops en route or get into the wild spaces, Auckland has a walk for you.
Best of all, with so many different landscapes and natural features so close by, it’s easy to experience them all in one day.In suburban Auckland, purpose built boardwalks wind their way along the harbourside, historic reserves beg exploration, fossilised forests intrigue and cliff-top tracks lead to hidden sheltered bays. On the city’s outskirts, lush forest trails revealing tumbling waterfalls or secluded sandy beaches beckon, and you’ll feel a million miles away from the big smoke. Auckland’s west coast is bordered by native temperate rainforest and a stunning rugged coastline. The wild black-sand beaches and coastal tracks are great for blowing out the cobwebs and immersing yourself in nature.
Advertisement
Rangitoto Island coastal walk
ATEED/Todd Eyre Photography
The islands of the Hauraki Gulf each have their own appeal – there’s the bird sanctuary of Tiritiri Matangi, Waiheke with its vineyards, historic ruins and stunning white-sand beaches, the isolated Great Barrier Island with its rugged beauty and the iconic peak of Rangitoto Island that dominates the Auckland landscape.
If you’re wondering where to find a walk with incredible views of Auckland, that’s easy – look for the telltale peak of a volcano rising above the city’s skyline. With around 50 extinct or dormant volcanoes in the Auckland Volcanic Field, these unique features make for great walking adventures.
Some of the more accessible include the tallest mainland volcano, Mt Eden at 196m, One Tree Hill with its interesting history and rural feel thanks to grazing cattle, Mt Victoria and North Head with their old gun emplacements and eerie underground tunnels – don’t forget your torch, and Mangere Mountain – the area’s best preserved volcanic cone.
AUCKLAND HIGHLIGHTS
• Calm bays and white-sand beaches on the east and wild surf pounding black-sand beaches on the west. • From tranquil beaches and rugged clifftops to working farms and native wildlife, Auckland’s 26 regional parks have it all. • No visit to the city is complete without scaling at least one of its volcanoes. • Auckland is alive with culinary flair, with plenty of diverse dining precincts and eateries for every budget and taste. • The sparkling blue Hauraki Gulf is home to many islands to visit, including Waiheke, Great Barrier, Tiritiri Matangi and Rangitoto, each with their own unique charm. • Explore the city’s three wine regions: Matakana, Kumeū and Waiheke Island. • Indulge in retail therapy in the popular shopping precincts of Queen Street, K’ Road (Karangahape Road), Britomart, Newmarket, Parnell and Ponsonby. • Auckland is a veritable feast of heritage, visual arts and live performances. Check out museums, galleries and theatres. • Feel the thrill with an adventurous pursuit, from bungy jumping to ziplining.
